Ham hocks add tons of flavor to these slow cooker collard greens. Collard greens are a Southern favorite no matter how they’re cooked, but this recipe is the easiest way I’ve ever cooked them.
Cooking this traditional Southern dish in the slow cooker not only allows you to prepare other dishes, but also frees up valuable space on your stovetop. You can also make this holiday favorite 1-2 weeks in advance and freeze it in airtight bags, or you can make the collard greens 1-2 days in advance and refrigerate in a slow cooker insert (if you have the time! ).
Pre-washed and chopped vegetables are widely available in stores, making this dish even easier to prepare. Cleaning and re-cleaning beaches can take a lot of time.
Cooking the vegetables and ham hock on low heat for 9 hours allows all the flavors to meld beautifully. It’s a great side dish that you can throw in the slow cooker in the morning and have ready for dinner.
Caitlin Bensel.Food stylist: Tori Cox
What are collard greens?
Collard greens are a typical green vegetable from the South. Braised collard vegetables, part of the Brassica oleracea plant species and similar to similar vegetables such as cabbage and spinach, are a classic side dish whose recipes have been passed down through generations of Southern cooks. is. A slow, low-temperature simmer turns these hearty vegetables tender and smooth, while the salty ham adds an extra layer of flavor to the dish.
Although collard greens can be enjoyed year-round, they are especially popular on New Year’s Day when they are served with black-eyed peas and cornbread, symbolizing good luck and prosperity in the new year.
What is pot liquor (or pot liquor)?
Collard greens are simmered in a rich broth, which deepens in flavor as they cook. This liquid is known as pot licker. Drinkable and delicious, this soup can also be stored and added to soups and stews, or dipped into warm cornbread for immediate enjoyment.
slow cooker collard greens ingredients
To make this classic side dish, you will need:
Smoked ham hocks: Ham hocks add flavor to the vegetables and the meat is shredded and served back in the pot. You can also swap out the ham hock for smoked turkey wings or legs, if you prefer. Some recipes include bacon or chopped smoked ham instead of ham hocks. Looking for a vegetarian version? In this recipe, instead of ham, we roast diced tomatoes over an open flame.
Canned Chicken Broth: A liquid base for simmering vegetables. Fresh collard greens, pre-washed and chopped: Saves a lot of time. Washing and chopping fresh collard greens takes time and patience. If you’d like to break out the greens yourself, check out our recipe for Southern-style collard greens for cleaning and trimming recommendations. Sweet onions: Add flavor to vegetables. Light Brown Sugar: Subtle sweetness that contrasts with the bitterness of collard greens. You can also substitute brown sugar or maple syrup. Apple cider vinegar: Adding vinegar to vegetables is a must. The acidity contrasts with the fattiness of the ham and soup, and energizes the whole dish after a long simmer. Kosher salt, crushed red pepper, and black pepper: To season vegetables.
Caitlin Bensel.Food stylist: Tori Cox
How to make collard greens in a slow cooker
There’s no easier way to prepare this traditional dish.
Step 1. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Step 2. Cover and cook on low for 9 hours. Step 3. Remove the ham hock, shred the meat and return to the pot. Please enjoy warm.
ham hock chips
Be careful as you remove the ham hock from the slow cooker before stirring in the vegetables. Some of the hocks have a lot of small bone fragments, so be sure to remove all of them before eating.
Can I make collard greens with ham hocks in the slow cooker?
Collard greens can be made up to 2 days in advance. Refrigerate in slow cooker insert or transfer to an airtight container. If it’s in an insert, let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes, then return it to the slow cooker to reheat the vegetables. (Heating a cold insert too soon may cause it to crack.)
How to store and reheat leftover collard greens and ham hock
Refrigerate leftover collard greens in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Before serving, reheat on the stove until warm throughout.
Slow Cooker Collard Greens and Ham Hock Garnish
Collard greens can be enjoyed year-round as a flavorful vegetable side or as a main course with cornbread. Serve with your favorite Southern dishes like macaroni and cheese, skillet cornbread, biscuits and gravy, black-eyed peas, potato salad, green beans, and more.
More Classic Southern Side Dishes You’ll Love
Don’t forget to add your favorite side dishes below.
Editorial contribution by Katie Rosenhouse.
